# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=379 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 380 --- ## [The Trump Administration and the future of television drama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-and-the-future-of-television-drama/1013820)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-and-the-future-of-television-drama/1013820 "2025-02-03T17:19:45Z")
This thread discusses it in a humorous fashion:What could happen to CBS' FBI in the trump era , but I am wondering about the real world (so to speaking) dilemma of portraying a diversified world realistically when divers… --- ## [Is there a term of art of this business practice (leaving old, uncompetitive pricing plans alive while selling competitive plans to new customers?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-of-art-of-this-business-practice-leaving-old-uncompetitive-pricing-plans-alive-while-selling-competitive-plans-to-new-customers/1012914)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-of-art-of-this-business-practice-leaving-old-uncompetitive-pricing-plans-alive-while-selling-competitive-plans-to-new-customers/1012914 "2025-02-03T15:42:48Z")
Something that I noticed with both my mobile phone/mobile data accounts and my web hosting accounts (in both cases I have the customer of the same companies for more than two decades now): Technological progress and co… --- ## [Recumbent Bike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recumbent-bike/1013727)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recumbent-bike/1013727 "2025-02-03T15:35:40Z")
I have a SportsArt c52r recumbent exercise bike. I’m looking to sell it. It’s pretty old but in good condition. I looked around online and some (refurbished ones) are around $4,000 or more. And some are around $50. Anyo… --- ## [New kitty! This is Holiday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-kitty-this-is-holiday/999978)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-kitty-this-is-holiday/999978 "2025-02-03T15:27:27Z")
“Holly” for short, who is currently hiding behind our futon. She’s with us on a two-week trial basis to ensure she and our existing kitty get along. Holiday came t… --- ## [In \*A Knight's Tale,\* why are there two different victory scenes back to back? (open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-knights-tale-why-are-there-two-different-victory-scenes-back-to-back-open-spoilers/1013494)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-knights-tale-why-are-there-two-different-victory-scenes-back-to-back-open-spoilers/1013494 "2025-02-03T14:47:54Z")
A Knight’s Tale was on TV this evening, so I thought I’d watch it - not so much for the movie as a whole, but because various assorted performances and pieces within it are enjoyable. But I was reminded of a detail that… --- ## [Am I right to be suspicious of this Cloud Storage provider's 'one time payment' deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-right-to-be-suspicious-of-this-cloud-storage-providers-one-time-payment-deal/1013592)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-right-to-be-suspicious-of-this-cloud-storage-providers-one-time-payment-deal/1013592 "2025-02-03T12:24:42Z")
I’ve been in the market for a new provider of cloud storage for my backups. The other day, someone suggested PCloud, who are apparently offering lifetime plans for cloud storage where you make a single, one-off payment,… --- ## [Looking for old staff report on Vaccination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-old-staff-report-on-vaccination/1013666)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-old-staff-report-on-vaccination/1013666 "2025-02-03T11:20:24Z")
Way, way back when I was writing staff reports as a member of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, I took a question from someone who was dubious about vaccinating their child. I enlisted a doctor friend to write a … --- ## [Canadopers: What should be on my emergency grocery list tonight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadopers-what-should-be-on-my-emergency-grocery-list-tonight/1013740)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadopers-what-should-be-on-my-emergency-grocery-list-tonight/1013740 "2025-02-03T08:25:25Z")
I’m going on a grocery shopping list as soon as the PM is done talking. What should I get? Toilet paper Flour Sugar Bread Cereals Dog and cat food Frozen foods Chicken and hamburger Thoughts? Plus will fill my … --- ## [Filing income taxes for 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filing-income-taxes-for-2024/1013719)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filing-income-taxes-for-2024/1013719 "2025-02-03T01:57:18Z")
This could’ve been an MPSIMS or IMHO, but it’s poilitical so let’s try it here. This time of year I’d normally take advantage of the cold dead winter months to file my taxes early. Often I get a little refund, but at a… --- ## [Explain "retirement" to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-retirement-to-me/1011120)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-retirement-to-me/1011120 "2025-02-03T01:17:18Z")
I’m that terribly stereotypical kind of early millennial… poor, financially illiterate, always floating between random gigs, expecting the future to be all doom and gloom and social collapse and AI fodder and all that. A… --- ## [Why did COVID kill 24 hour shopping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-covid-kill-24-hour-shopping/1013569)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-covid-kill-24-hour-shopping/1013569 "2025-02-03T01:13:30Z")
I get that correlation does not equal causation but assuming that the pandemic put an end to some stores like Walmart being open 24 hours, why? If they weren’t profitable operating at those hours, why did it take COVID … --- ## [When do annuities actually make sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-annuities-actually-make-sense/1013738)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-annuities-actually-make-sense/1013738 "2025-02-03T00:59:05Z")
Spinning this off of the most recent retirement thread. There I came around to understanding that delaying taking social security payments (to 67 and to 70) is very comparable to a very attractive inflation adjusted with… --- ## [People on the left: who are you donating to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-left-who-are-you-donating-to/1013231)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-left-who-are-you-donating-to/1013231 "2025-02-03T00:34:17Z")
Other than the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, who are you thinking of donating to? J. --- ## [Frasier reboot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frasier-reboot/990213)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frasier-reboot/990213 "2025-02-02T23:39:50Z")
First full trailer for ‘Frasier’ reboot drops – and it’s new city, same Frasier (msn.com) ‘Frasier’ Revival Trailer: Kelsey Grammer Steps Back into Frasier Crane (people.com) It’s been 20 years since we last saw Dr. Fr… --- ## [Newspaper Self-Censorship Examples](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newspaper-self-censorship-examples/1013764)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newspaper-self-censorship-examples/1013764 "2025-02-02T23:00:27Z")
This is on page 2 of the Sunday February 2, 2025 Philadelphia Inquirer: The language in question is the word “rape,” as might commonly used when someone, in this case Donald Trump, has been found by a jury to have pene… --- ## [New cat, with obligatory photo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cat-with-obligatory-photo/1013707)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cat-with-obligatory-photo/1013707 "2025-02-02T22:51:19Z")
A week or so ago I was at the vet clinic with Zoey, one of my various lovely felines, because she was limping - short story shorter, she’s fine. But while in the waiting room, I read a heartbreaking notice, complete wit… --- ## [Freecell addicts: What are your winning percentage and streaks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freecell-addicts-what-are-your-winning-percentage-and-streaks/90541)
**Author:** [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freecell-addicts-what-are-your-winning-percentage-and-streaks/90541 "2025-02-02T22:45:51Z")
I know you’re out there, fellow Freecell freaks. You just can’t stop playing. So what are your stats? Share with the group! My percentage right now is 62%: 511 wins, 309 losses. My longest winning streak is 14 games in… --- ## [How close can we get to the schadenfreude singularity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-we-get-to-the-schadenfreude-singularity/1013698)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-can-we-get-to-the-schadenfreude-singularity/1013698 "2025-02-02T22:29:43Z")
Ie. Minimum time the board could get 10K posts? --- ## [Why only 10% on China and 25% against Canada and Mexico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-10-on-china-and-25-against-canada-and-mexico/1013783)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-10-on-china-and-25-against-canada-and-mexico/1013783 "2025-02-02T22:13:32Z")
Is it because Canada and Mexico is seen as weak and can be easily preyed upon? And China can put up a fight and maybe has (COVID 1.2 million US deaths, more US corps offshoring then in any time in US history after Turmp… --- ## [I drove 1:15:00 just for a free f'ing hot dog!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drove-100-just-for-a-free-fing-hot-dog/1013693)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drove-100-just-for-a-free-fing-hot-dog/1013693 "2025-02-02T22:08:49Z")
I received a letter from a casino host for the first time ever last week. I was like “ooh goody gum drops! She’s going give me a coupon for some massive free play!” I thought I was going to be comped at least $700. That’… --- ## ["Nature of God" query inspired by closed thread, but completely different question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-of-god-query-inspired-by-closed-thread-but-completely-different-question/1013518)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-of-god-query-inspired-by-closed-thread-but-completely-different-question/1013518 "2025-02-02T21:20:39Z")
I just looked at the nth, now closed, thread about homosexuality and Christianity, and ran across this: (Christianity and homosexuality - #17 by Ulfreida): I’m no stranger at all to the “all mighty” of Judaism (who, f… --- ## [Are there any known cases of vacuum or lawnmower robots being banned in sensitive locations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-known-cases-of-vacuum-or-lawnmower-robots-being-banned-in-sensitive-locations/1013677)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-known-cases-of-vacuum-or-lawnmower-robots-being-banned-in-sensitive-locations/1013677 "2025-02-02T19:54:56Z")
If I wanted to spy on a sensitive location (say, a military base or an industrial R&D office developing cutting edge technology) one method might be to supply vacuum robots or lawnmower robots enhanced to look and listen… --- ## [Can a VPN help with privacy from the government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-vpn-help-with-privacy-from-the-government/1013735)
**Author:** [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-vpn-help-with-privacy-from-the-government/1013735 "2025-02-02T15:44:40Z")
I’m an American doing all the doom-scrolling and people talking about “prepping” or what we can do to protect ourselves from trump’s actions, as far as that is possible. One of the things some suggest is getting a VPN. B… --- ## [Help Me Choose a Photograph for a Challenge On Another Forum…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-photograph-for-a-challenge-on-another-forum/1013464)
**Author:** [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-photograph-for-a-challenge-on-another-forum/1013464 "2025-02-02T14:50:58Z")
Are we allowed to link to other forums? I know some forums don’t like that, and I am not sure about this one. Anyway, on another forum, specific to Nikon Cameras and those of us who use them, the theme for the curr… --- ## [Democrats have not tried infiltrating MAGA en masse from within](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-have-not-tried-infiltrating-maga-en-masse-from-within/1013529)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-have-not-tried-infiltrating-maga-en-masse-from-within/1013529 "2025-02-02T14:11:41Z")
Over the past nine years, Democrats have tried nearly every possible tactic against Trump, with poor or limited effect. They called him out for his 13,000+ lies. They called him a racist, sexist, Islamophobe, impeached … --- ## [Rebranding: I don't know whether to laugh or cry!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebranding-i-dont-know-whether-to-laugh-or-cry/1013563)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebranding-i-dont-know-whether-to-laugh-or-cry/1013563 "2025-02-02T07:50:55Z")
The governing body of the athletics industry in Australia has decided to ‘boldly’ rebrand their organisation. From Athletics Australia to Australian Athletics. Seriously? What a fucking stupid thing is this?? --- ## [Auld Lang Sighin' (January mini-rants)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auld-lang-sighin-january-mini-rants/1012421)
**Author:** [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Replies:** 346\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auld-lang-sighin-january-mini-rants/1012421 "2025-02-02T03:27:10Z")
Continuing the discussion from Here come rants, blah-blah (December mini-rants): I’ll start off the year with a real mini-rant. I use Google Maps frequently. It does a great job of helping me avoid traffic and gives m… --- ## [When would Queen have performed Bohemian Rhapsody on TV in the mid Eighties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-queen-have-performed-bohemian-rhapsody-on-tv-in-the-mid-eighties/1013711)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-queen-have-performed-bohemian-rhapsody-on-tv-in-the-mid-eighties/1013711 "2025-02-02T03:06:12Z")
I am fairly sure Queen performed Bohemian Rhapsody on TV sometime between (I would guess) 1982 and 1987, probably leaning towards earlier? This most likely would have been a national broadcast. My mom didn’t like the gri… --- ## [Condensed matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condensed-matter/1013702)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condensed-matter/1013702 "2025-02-02T01:38:10Z")
Is there a relatively easy way to explain condensed matter and how it is condensed. Does it continue to condense as in " Time and pressure". Does it’s tolerance for heat go up as it condenses? --- ## [The ongoing firehose of fake research papers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ongoing-firehose-of-fake-research-papers/1013579)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ongoing-firehose-of-fake-research-papers/1013579 "2025-02-01T23:55:53Z")
I think we’ve all probably been aware of the ease of publishing, the profitability of publishing, and the pressure to publish all coming together to create fakery. I just don’t think I fully realized the scale of it. Fa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=378) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=380)